No, there is more to be discovered in personality disorders, and the latest is causing some buzz.

Have you ever sat in a room full of friends, coworkers, or family members and felt completely alone? Not because they weren’t nice to you, but because something deep inside you just couldn’t connect with the group energy? If you’ve always been the person who skips the team-building exercises, avoids group vacations, and prefers one-on-one conversations over parties, you might be what psychiatrist Dr. Rami Kaminski calls an “otrovert.”

After 40 years of treating patients, Dr. Kaminski noticed something fascinating: there were people who weren’t introverts or extroverts. They were something else entirely. These people could be charming and social, but they never felt like they truly belonged to any group — no matter how welcoming that group was. It is, however, based on his individual clinical experience.

You’re Not Broken — You’re Just Different

For too long, our society has only recognized two types of people: introverts (who get drained by social situations) and extroverts (who get energized by them). But both of these personality types share one crucial thing — they’re what Dr. Kaminski calls “communal people.” Whether they’re quiet or loud, both introverts and extroverts want to be part of the group. They find safety, identity, and self-worth through their connections to others.

Otroverts are different. They’re the eternal outsiders, the people who watch from the edges even when they’re standing right in the center of the action. The word comes from the Spanish “otro,” meaning “other” — because otroverts are always looking elsewhere, beyond the group dynamics that captivate everyone else.

Think about that friend who’s incredibly likable but somehow never seems to “click” with group activities. They might be the life of the party in a one-on-one conversation, but you’ll notice them checking out mentally during group discussions. That might be an otrovert.

The Science Behind Not Belonging

For decades, psychologists have studied why humans have such a powerful need to belong to groups. Social Identity Theory, developed by Henri Tajfel in the 1970s, shows that most people define themselves through their group memberships — whether it’s their family, workplace, political party, or favorite sports team. This isn’t just social preference; it’s how our brains are wired.

Research consistently shows that when people identify with a group, they automatically start favoring that group over others. Sounds terribly MAGA, doesn’t it? They adopt the group’s beliefs, follow its unwritten rules, and even change their behavior to fit in better. This “belonging instinct” has helped humans survive for thousands of years by creating strong communities and shared identities.

But otroverts seem to be missing this psychological programming. They don’t get the same emotional payoff from group membership that most people do. It’s not that they can’t form relationships — quite the opposite. Otroverts often form incredibly deep, meaningful one-on-one relationships. They’re empathetic, generous, and emotionally intelligent. They just can’t seem to plug into the group matrix that most people find so natural. All of these attributes, and even the personality disorder, however, are still awaiting worldwide scientific evidence.

The Hidden Advantages of Standing Alone

Let’s dig in a little deeper into this “disorder.” Here’s where it gets interesting: being an otrovert isn’t a bug — it’s a feature. When you don’t belong to any group, you’re free from what psychologists call “groupthink,” the tendency for groups to make poor decisions because everyone goes along with the majority.

Studies on creativity and independent thinking reveal that people who resist conformity often come up with more original ideas. When you’re not trying to fit in, you’re not unconsciously limiting your thoughts to what the group finds acceptable. You can see problems and solutions that others miss because you’re not looking through the lens of group consensus.

Research published in Cognitive Science shows that when people are exposed to ideas that challenge conventional thinking, they become more creative in their own problem-solving. Otroverts live in this space naturally — they’re always outside conventional thinking because they never fully buy into any group’s worldview.

Some of the famous otroverts throughout history include: George Orwell, who saw the dangers of political groupthink long before others; Albert Einstein, who revolutionized physics by thinking outside established scientific communities; and Franz Kafka, whose outsider perspective allowed him to capture the absurdity of modern life in ways that resonated across cultures.

How Disorders Are Included in the DSM

Although you may be thinking that you have this disorder or gift, whichever you prefer, there is one glitch here that must be considered. What is it? No one can come up with a disorder and then expect it to be put into use by persons in the healthcare professions. It doesn’t happen that way. All disorders that are listed in the official “bible” of psychiatric disorders are selected and included by a committee.

The American Psychiatric Association depends on mental health expert committees to determine what will be included in the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). Psychiatrists and researchers examine scientific research about various mental health disorders, evaluate the reliability of disorder diagnosis, and the potential benefits of inclusion for patient treatment improvement. If it’s not in the DSM, it’s not considered a psychiatric disorder. True, there is a section in the back for disorders under consideration. This might, in the future, be one of those disorders

Recognizing the Otrovert in Your Life (or Yourself)

According to this new thinking on personality, otroverts often fly under the radar because they’ve learned to mimic group behavior when necessary. They are called “pseudo-extroverts” — they can be charming and engaging in social situations, but it’s a performance rather than a genuine connection to the group energy.

Here are some thoughts you might be dealing with an otrovert:

They’re selective about their energy: Unlike introverts who get drained by all social interaction, otroverts can talk for hours one-on-one but seem to fade during group activities.

They resist peer pressure naturally: Not because they’re rebellious, but because they genuinely don’t feel the social pull that makes others want to conform.

They’re unusually independent thinkers: They form their own opinions without being swayed by what “everyone” thinks or does. Depending on the situation, this can be a benefit or a deficit

They prefer meaningful conversations: Small talk and group banter don’t interest them, but they’ll dive deep into topics they care about with individual people.

They’re generous but not groupy: They’ll go out of their way to help friends but won’t join group volunteer efforts or team activities.

Thriving as an Otrovert in a Group-Obsessed World

If you recognize yourself in this description, there’s nothing wrong with you, but don’t use this as a reason for everything that you do. Remember, it’s still someone’s interesting idea about personality.

Society tells us that we need to be team players, join communities, and find our tribe. But otroverts have a different path to fulfillment.

The key is understanding that your need for independence isn’t antisocial — it’s how you function best. Instead of forcing yourself into group situations that drain you, focus on building those deep one-on-one relationships where you shine.

In the workplace, otroverts often excel in roles that require independent thinking: research, writing, consulting, or any position where original ideas are valued over group consensus. They make excellent advisors because they’re not invested in any particular outcome except finding the truth. To me, this smacks of a type of autism. Aren’t many of these characteristics similar to it?

Parents of otrovert children should resist the urge to push them into group activities. Instead, encouraging one-on-one friendships and giving them space to pursue their individual interests without pressure to “join in.”

The Gift of Perspective

In our increasingly polarized world, otroverts offer something valuable: the ability to see beyond tribal thinking. While others get caught up in “us versus them” mentalities, otroverts can maintain perspective because they never fully identify with any “us” in the first place. But, seemingly, it’s not a lonely place.

Research on conformity shows that having even one person who thinks independently can dramatically improve group decision-making. It’s where critical thinking comes into play, and I have written an entire book on it (The Little Book on Learning Big Critical Thinking Skills) that is being published. When everyone else is nodding along, the otrovert in the room might be the only one asking the difficult questions that lead to better outcomes.

Embracing Your Authentic Self

The message for otroverts is simple: stop trying to fix something that isn’t broken. Your inability to “belong” isn’t a character flaw — it’s a different way of being human that comes with its own gifts.

For those who love an otrovert, the best thing you can do is accept them as they are. Don’t try to pull them into group activities; they’re clearly uncomfortable with them. Instead, value the unique perspective they bring and the depth of relationship they can offer when it’s just the two of you.

Otroverts are like, as Dr. Rami Kaminski said, “Bluetooth devices that just aren’t wired for group pairing.” They connect differently, but when they do connect, it’s often deeper and more meaningful than the connections most people experience in groups.

In a world that constantly pushes us to join, belong, and conform, otroverts remind us that there’s another way to live — authentically, independently, and with the kind of perspective that can only come from standing slightly outside the crowd.